Educate yourself on costs of college

By Brian MyszkowskiPocono Record Writer

Friday

Sep 14, 2018 at 8:00 AM

BRODHEADSVILLE — For upperclassmen at Pleasant Valley High School, the dawn of higher education is just around the corner. And while the pressure of getting into the perfect college and finding the right course of study are stress-inducing enough, yet another issue looms overhead — how to pay for it all.

Thanks to the district’s Financial Aid Night, students setting out to pursue that path can rest easy knowing that they have plenty of resources to cover the costs.

Organized by counselor Melissa Lambert and presented by Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency’s Higher Education Access Partner Linda Pacewicz, Tuesday’s program walked students and parents through the process of paying for school.

“We are going to review what a FAFSA – the Free Application for Federal Student Aid – is and what you have to do,” Pacewicz said.

“We talk about the types of financial aid they may be eligible for once they fill out the form, such as other grants or scholarships, and how to make some smart decisions based on the information that you get.”

Since the late 80s, the average price of post-secondary education has more than doubled. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, public higher education tuition rates for the 2015-2016 academic year were about $16,757. Private school tuition averaged $39,011.

“The most important thing is to make an affordable choice, because a lot of times, students don’t realize the costs, and that they can get an education in many different areas from many different venues," Pacewicz said. "It just depends on what’s affordable for them and their family, and what their career choice is going to provide for them."

Note your deadlines

First and foremost, students and parents should be aware of deadlines. For example, students looking to attend college in the 2019-2020 school year can begin filling out the FAFSA on Oct. 1, 2018, and it must be completed by June 30, 2019.

However, in order to qualify for state grants to fund an education at a four-year college or university, Pennsylvanians must have their information in by May 1, 2019. Those attending two-year institutions must complete the application by Aug. 1, 2019.

Some colleges have their own FAFSA due dates as well, so it helps to ask questions about deadlines when applying.

“Timing is very important when it comes to college money," Lambert said. "It doesn’t matter who you are after the deadline, if you didn’t meet the deadline, you’re not going to get it."

One of the most important things to do is to shop around, as different schools will offer different aid packages consisting of federal, state and local aid, along with in-house assistance and opportunities like work-study programs.

When all the paperwork is completed with FAFSA, scholarships and any additional loans, students just have to wait to receive an award letter from their schools of choice.

Time to shop around

Once those letters roll in, it’s time to shop around, as different schools will offer different aid packages consisting of federal, state and local aid, along with in-house assistance and opportunities like work-study programs. One school may cover every conceivable expense, while another may leave a student scrounging to make up the difference.

While it may mean that a student has to opt out of a top pick, it can make all the difference when the bills are due.

“Be a consumer in this process, because you want to have a diverse search," Pacewicz said. "You want to look at everything, kick the tires a little bit, take it for a test drive. Buying an education is like buying anything else, you want to know what you’re getting, and you want to research it. We always say, ‘buy an education, not a school.’”

Both Pacewicz and Lambert encouraged those in attendance to search for scholarships – there are a wide variety that can help cut costs, and even if the awards are small, they can add up. From the local Lioness Club to the billionaire Gates family, benefactors are everywhere.

Picking a hobby or interest and searching the internet for scholarship opportunities that fall under that heading is a good start.

“You like to bass fish? There’s a scholarship for that," Pacewicz said. "Do you do duck calling? There’s a scholarship for that. There’s tons and tons of them.”

One helpful tip Pacewicz offered was to create a resume of everything that a student does - even if it is not a scholastic or athletic endeavor - and present it to their preferred schools. If they take their grandparent to the store every Friday, or mow the lawn for their elderly neighbors, make note of it – that could net them a scholarship.

“You have to blow your own horn, you have to tell the school everything about you. They have money to match, but you have to give them a reason to match it to you,” Pacewicz said.

If there is a gap even after federal, state, and local aid are applied and scholarships are tapped out, private loans can help bridge it. Parent PLUS loans are one option, and many banks offer education loans to parents as well.

Student Olivia Evans, who came out to learn about how to apply for aid to make her future education easier for her family, was pleased to find so much information about funding options.

“I wanted to make it easier for all of us when I go to college, so I’m not drowning in debt and they’re not drowning in debt,” she said.

For those who couldn’t make it to the presentation, Lambert said that her office will have some information packets available, and the presentation itself will soon be posted on the district website.

Lambert said she hopes the presentation will help students access all that they can to fund their educations, and provide the motivation to start looking for the money now.

“It’s about getting the word out early for financial aid so that they don’t miss deadlines or any money that’s available to them. The process has to start now,” she said.

Pacewicz concluded the presentation by emphasizing the importance of a good education in the modern job market and the path a student takes to get there. A little information can go a long way toward a fruitful career at a good price.

“It’s important to get that education, but it’s also important to do your research, understand what you’re getting and what it’s going to cost, and find the affordable route. That’s what it’s all about,” Pacewicz said.

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